Irish Nickname Generator

Short forms, by-names and endearments from Ireland

Real-World Names & CulturesPart of: real-world name generators1,000 names

0 of 1,000 seen

This or that?

7 picks, 1 winner

Tap the name you like more.

Tap a name to copy it. The arrows swap one name.

Or browse all 1,000 names, A to Z

Browse 1,000 Irish nicknames: short forms such as Paddy (Patrick), Mossie (Maurice), Bridie (Bridget) and Nonie (Nora), Dublin forms such as Anto and Deco, and endearments such as a stór, a chroí and acushla, each with its source name or an English gloss in parentheses.

About this generator

Irish nicknames come from two languages. In English the old short forms are everywhere: Paddy and Patsy for Patrick, Mossie for Maurice, Bridie and Biddy for Bridget, Nonie for Nora, Peg for Margaret. Irish makes a name small with -ín, so Seán becomes Seáinín and Nóra becomes Nóirín, which English spelled Shawneen and Noreen. Dublin clips a name and adds -o or -er: Anto, Deco, Mickser. Surnames get the same treatment, as in Murph, Sully and Fitzy.

Endearments are said to the person, so Irish puts the calling word a in front and softens the consonant that follows: a ghrá, a chroí, a chuisle. English borrowed several by ear as asthore, acushla, mavourneen and alanna. Hiberno-English adds its own, from pet and dote to me oul' flower.

Where many families in a parish share a surname, people are told apart by a by-name: hair color or age (Seán Bán, Máire Óg), a father's name (Paddy Tom) or a trade (Jack the Post). Those entries are examples of the habit, not real people. Every entry shows its source name or an English gloss in parentheses, and the list also holds double names such as John Joe and Mary Kate and family words such as Mam, Da, Mamó and Daideo.

Tips for choosing a name

  • Use the part before the parentheses. The source name or the gloss is there to explain the nickname and is not said aloud.
  • Match the place. Anto, Deco and Mickser belong to Dublin, Miah and Neilus to Cork and Kerry, Hudie and wee pet to Ulster, and Páidí, Micil and Cóil to the Gaeltacht, the Irish-speaking districts.
  • Keep the Irish endearments in their calling form. A stór, a ghrá and a chroí are said to someone; to talk about a person, mo stór or mo ghrá is the usual choice.
  • Many short forms are given names in their own right now. A Liam, Nuala, Maureen or Jack may have exactly that on the birth certificate, so do not assume a longer name behind it.
  • For a village in a story, give two characters the same surname and tell them apart the local way: one by hair color, one by a father's name, one by a trade.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Irish nicknames?

The best known are short forms of saints' names: Paddy, Pat and Patsy for Patrick, Mick and Mickey for Michael, Bridie and Biddy for Bridget, Peg and Maggie for Margaret. Short forms of this kind are the largest group in the list, each with its full name in parentheses.

What do Irish people call someone they love?

In Irish, a stór (my treasure), a ghrá (my love), a chroí (my heart) and a chuisle (my pulse) are the classics, and mo mhuirnín gave English the word mavourneen. In Hiberno-English you will hear pet, love and dote, with wee pet in Ulster and loveen in Galway.

Why do Irish endearments start with the word a?

Irish uses the small word a when you speak to someone directly, and it softens the consonant after it, which is why grá becomes a ghrá and croí becomes a chroí. Forms with mo, such as mo ghrá and mo stór, also mean my love and my treasure and are more often used to speak about the person.

Are by-names like Jack the Post real people?

No. Entries such as Jack the Post, Seán Bán, Paddy Tom and Mary the Shop are examples of how neighbors who share a name are told apart in Ireland, by a trade, a hair color or a parent's name. They show the pattern so you can build your own. The list was screened for offensive terms, and it leaves out slurs and mocking names.

Related generators

More like this

Browse category

All 1,000 names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 117 names

  • a ansacht (beloved)
  • a Athair (Father, said to a priest)
  • a bháibín (little baby)
  • a bhean chóir (good woman, a polite greeting)
  • a bhuachaill (boy, when calling him)
  • a bhuachaillín (little boy)
  • a chailín (girl, when calling her)
  • a chailín deas (my lovely girl)
  • a chairde (friends, said to a group)
  • a chara (friend, the usual greeting)
  • a chara chléibh (bosom friend)
  • a chara dhil (dear friend)
  • a chara mo chroí (friend of my heart)
  • a chéadsearc (first love)

A, continued

  • a chiall (dear, Ulster)
  • a chiste (treasure chest)
  • a chomrádaí (comrade)
  • a chréatúir (you poor creature)
  • a chroí (my heart)
  • a chroí istigh (heart within)
  • a chroí na páirte (dearly beloved)
  • a chuid (my share, Ulster)
  • a chuisle (my pulse)
  • a chuisle mo chroí (pulse of my heart)
  • a chumainn (dear love)
  • a Dhaideo (Granda, when calling him)
  • a Dhaidí (Daddy, when calling him)
  • a dhalta (foster child, pet)
  • a dheartháirín (little brother)

A, continued

  • a dheirfiúirín (little sister)
  • a dhochtúir (doctor, when calling one)
  • a dhuine chóir (good man, a polite greeting)
  • a éinín (little bird)
  • a ghasúir (young lad, when calling him)
  • a ghirseach (girl, Ulster)
  • a ghrá (my love)
  • a ghrá dhil (my dear love)
  • a ghrá geal (bright love)
  • a ghrá mo chléibh (love of my bosom)
  • a ghrá mo chroí (love of my heart)
  • a hagur (from a théagair)
  • a iníon ó (daughter, said fondly)
  • a lao (calf, said to a child)

A, continued

  • a leanbh (child, said tenderly)
  • a leanbh bán (fair child, darling)
  • a leanbh mo chroí (child of my heart)
  • a mhac (son, said to any man in Connemara)
  • a mhaicín (little son)
  • a Mháistir (Master, said to the schoolmaster)
  • a mháithrín (little mother)
  • a Mham (Mam, when calling her)
  • a Mhamaí (Mammy, when calling her)
  • a Mhamó (Granny, when calling her)
  • a mhaoin (wealth, treasure)
  • a mhaoineach (dear one, Connacht and Ulster)
  • a mhic (son, when calling him)
  • a mhic ó (son, said fondly)
  • a mhíle grá (my thousand loves)

A, continued

  • a mhíle stór (my thousand treasures)
  • a mhúinteoir (teacher, as pupils say it)
  • a mhuirnín (darling)
  • a mhuirnín dílis (own true darling)
  • a ógánaigh (young man, when calling him)
  • a pháiste (child, when calling one)
  • a pháistín (little child)
  • a pheata (my pet)
  • a phlúr na mban (flower of women)
  • a réiltín (little star)
  • a rógaire (you rogue, said fondly)
  • a rún (my secret love)
  • a rún mo chroí (secret love of my heart)
  • a rúnsearc (secret sweetheart)
  • a shearc (love, sweetheart)

A, continued

  • a sheoid (jewel)
  • a stócaigh (lad, Ulster)
  • a stóirín (my little treasure)
  • a stór (my treasure)
  • a stór mo chléibh (treasure of my bosom)
  • a stór mo chroí (treasure of my heart)
  • a thaisce (store, treasure)
  • a théagair (dear one, Munster)
  • a uainín (little lamb)
  • Abbey (Gobnait)
  • Abina (Gobnait)
  • achora (from a chara, friend)
  • achree (from a chroí)
  • acushla (from a chuisle, pulse)

A, continued

  • Aggie (Agnes)
  • agra (from a ghrá)
  • Aido (Aidan)
  • Aidy (Aidan)
  • Aintín (auntie, in Irish)
  • AJ (Anthony Joseph)
  • alanna (from a leanbh, child)
  • Alec (Alexander)
  • Alfie (Alfred)
  • Ally (Alice)
  • Alo (Aloysius)
  • Amby (Ambrose)
  • Andy (Andrew)
  • angel (said to a good child)
  • Annie (Anne or Áine)

A, continued

  • Annie Kate (Anne Catherine)
  • Annie May (Anne Mary)
  • Anto (Anthony or Antoinette)
  • Aoibh (Aoibhinn)
  • Aoif (Aoife)
  • aroon (from a rún)
  • Ash (Aisling)
  • asthore (from a stór)
  • asthoreen (from a stóirín)
  • Athair Críonna (grandfather, Munster Irish)
  • Athair Mór (grandfather, literally big father)
  • Auntie (aunt)
  • Austie (Austin)
  • avick (from a mhic, son)
  • avourneen (from a mhuirnín)

B: 82 names

  • baba (baby)
  • babaí (baby, in Irish)
  • babby (a baby)
  • Babs (Barbara, or the baby of the family)
  • Baibín (Bairbre)
  • Bán (the fair-haired one)
  • Barney (Bernard)
  • Barra (Fionnbarr)
  • Barry (Finbarr)
  • Bart (Bartholomew)
  • Bartle (Bartholomew)
  • Bartley (Bartholomew)
  • Batt (Bartholomew)

B, continued

  • Batty (Bartholomew)
  • Bawn (from bán, fair)
  • Baz (Barry)
  • Bazzer (Barry)
  • Beag (the small one or the younger)
  • Beairtle (Parthalán)
  • bean an tí (the woman of the house)
  • Beg (from beag, small)
  • Ben (Benjamin)
  • Benny (Benedict)
  • Ber (Bernadette)
  • Bernie (Bernard or Bernadette)
  • Bertie (Albert)
  • Bess (Elizabeth)

B, continued

  • Bessie (Elizabeth)
  • Beth (Elizabeth)
  • Betsy (Elizabeth)
  • Betty (Elizabeth)
  • Bid (Bridget)
  • Biddy (Bridget)
  • Biddy Con (Biddy, daughter of Con)
  • Biddy the Well (Biddy, who lives by the well)
  • Big John (the father, with a son called John)
  • big lad (friendly word to a man, Belfast)
  • big man (friendly word to a man, Ulster)
  • Big Mary (the mother, with a daughter called Mary)
  • Big Mick (the tall Michael)
  • Big Paddy (the tall Patrick)

B, continued

  • Bill (William)
  • Billo (Billy)
  • Billy (William)
  • Birdie (Bridget)
  • Black Jack (the dark-haired John)
  • Blondie (the fair-haired one)
  • Bob (Robert)
  • Bobby (Robert)
  • Bosco (John Bosco)
  • boss (friendly word to a man)
  • bouchal (from buachaill, boy)
  • bouchaleen (from buachaillín, little boy)
  • boy (said to any man, Cork)

B, continued

  • Boyler (Boyle)
  • boyo (a lad)
  • Boysie (the boy of the family)
  • Breda (Bridget)
  • Breege (Bridget)
  • Bren (Brendan or Brenda)
  • Brendy (Brendan)
  • Brenno (Brennan)
  • Brenny (Brendan)
  • Bri (Brian)
  • Bríd (Brighid)
  • Bríd an tSléibhe (Bríd of the mountain)
  • Bríd Mhór (big Bríd)
  • Bríd Thaidhg (Bríd, daughter of Tadhg)

B, continued

  • Bride (Bridget)
  • Bridgeen (Bridget)
  • Bridgie (Bridget)
  • Bridie (Bridget)
  • Bridie Ann (Bridget Ann)
  • Brídín (little Bríd)
  • Bron (Bronagh)
  • Brud (a brother, Dublin)
  • Buck (Buckley)
  • bud (friend, Dublin)
  • Buí (the yellow-haired one)
  • Burkey (Burke)
  • butty (friend, the south-east)
  • Byrner (Byrne)

C: 52 names

  • cailín beag (little girl)
  • Cáit (Caitlín)
  • Cáit Bhán (fair-haired Cáit)
  • Cáit na Coille (Cáit of the wood)
  • Cáit Pheadair (Cáit, daughter of Peadar)
  • Cáitín (little Cáit)
  • Cal (Callaghan)
  • Carro (Carroll)
  • Cass (Cassidy)
  • Cassie (Catherine)
  • Cat (Caitríona)
  • Cathy (Catherine)
  • Celia (Cecilia or Síle)

C, continued

  • Cepta (Concepta)
  • Charlie (Charles or Cathal)
  • Chas (Charles)
  • chick (said to a child)
  • chicken (said to a child)
  • chief (friendly word to a man)
  • chiseller (a child, Dublin)
  • Chrissie (Christina)
  • Christo (Christopher)
  • Christy (Christopher)
  • Cill (Cillian)
  • Cis (Cecilia)
  • Cissie (Cecilia)

C, continued

  • Cití (Caitríona)
  • CJ (Christopher John)
  • Clo (Clodagh)
  • Cóil (Colm)
  • Cóilín (little Cóil)
  • Coley (Coleman)
  • colleen (from cailín, girl)
  • colleen bawn (from cailín bán, fair girl)
  • colleen dhas (from cailín deas, lovely girl)
  • colleen oge (from cailín óg, young girl)
  • colleen rua (red-haired girl)
  • Colly (Collins)
  • Colm Mór (big Colm)

C, continued

  • Colm Pháidín (Colm, son of Páidín)
  • Con (Cornelius, Conor or Conchúr)
  • Con the Mill (Con, the miller)
  • Connie (Cornelius or Concepta)
  • Conno (Connolly)
  • Corky (Corcoran)
  • Corny (Cornelius)
  • Cos (Costello)
  • craythur (poor creature, said with pity)
  • Crow (Crowley)
  • Cully (Cullen)
  • Curly (the one with curls)
  • cushla machree (from cuisle mo chroí)

D: 74 names

  • Da (father)
  • Dad (father)
  • Dada (father, a small child's word)
  • Daddy (father)
  • Daid (Dad, in Irish)
  • Daideo (grandfather, in Irish)
  • Daidí (Daddy, in Irish)
  • Dainín (little Dan)
  • Daisy (Margaret)
  • Damo (Damien)
  • Dan (Daniel)
  • Dan Joe (Daniel Joseph)
  • Dan Thady (Dan, son of Thady)
  • Dan the Baker (Dan, the baker)

D, continued

  • Dan the Street (Dan, who lives in the village street)
  • Danno (Daniel)
  • Danny (Daniel)
  • Dano (Daniel)
  • Dar (Darragh)
  • Darby (Diarmuid)
  • darlin' (darling)
  • Darro (Darragh)
  • Dave (David)
  • Davo (David)
  • Davy (David)
  • Daz (Darren)
  • Dazzler (Darren)
  • Deaide (Dad, Connemara Irish)
  • Debbie (Deborah or Gobnait)

D, continued

  • Debs (Deborah)
  • Dec (Declan)
  • Decky (Declan)
  • Deco (Declan)
  • Dee (Deirdre)
  • Del (Delaney)
  • Delia (Bridget)
  • Delma (Fidelma)
  • Demps (Dempsey)
  • Den (Denis or Denise)
  • Denny (Denis)
  • Dermie (Dermot)
  • Dermo (Dermot)
  • Derry (Dermot)
  • Derv (Dervla)

D, continued

  • Des (Desmond)
  • Dessie (Desmond)
  • Detta (Bernadette)
  • Dezzie (Desmond)
  • Diarmuidín (little Diarmuid)
  • Dick (Richard)
  • Dickie (Richard)
  • Dilly (Bridget)
  • Dinny (Denis or Donncha)
  • DJ (Daniel Joseph)
  • Doc (Doherty, or the local doctor)
  • doll (said to a woman, Dublin)
  • Dolly (Dolores or Dorothy)
  • Dom (Dominic)
  • Domo (Dominic)

D, continued

  • Dónaillín (little Dónall)
  • Dónall Buí (yellow-haired Dónall)
  • Donie (Dónal)
  • Donn (the brown-haired one)
  • Donno (Donnelly)
  • Dora (Dorothy)
  • Dot (Dorothy)
  • dote (a sweet child)
  • Dottie (Dorothy)
  • Doyler (Doyle)
  • Dubh (the dark-haired one)
  • Duff (Duffy)
  • Duggie (Duggan)
  • Dunner (Dunne)
  • Dymph (Dymphna)

E: 16 names

  • Eamo (Eamon)
  • Éamoinín (little Éamonn)
  • Eddie (Edward)
  • Eddie Joe (Edward Joseph)
  • Eily (Eileen or Eibhlín)
  • Eim (Eimear)
  • EJ (Edward Joseph)
  • Eliza (Elizabeth)

E, continued

  • Ellie (Ellen or Eleanor)
  • Ellie May (Ellen Mary)
  • Elsie (Elizabeth)
  • Eoghainín (little Eoghan)
  • Eoin Beag (small Eoin)
  • Eoinín (little Eoin)
  • Essie (Esther)
  • Etta (Henrietta)

F: 27 names

  • Fada (the tall one)
  • Father Tom (a priest known by his short first name)
  • fear an tí (the man of the house, the host)
  • Ferg (Fergal)
  • Fergie (Fergus)
  • Fi (Fiona)
  • Fiach (Fiachra)
  • Fin (Finbarr or Fionnuala)
  • Finny (Finbarr)
  • Fitz (Fitzpatrick)
  • Fitzy (Fitzgerald)
  • Flan (Flanagan)
  • Flo (Florence)

F, continued

  • Flor (Florence)
  • Florrie (Florence)
  • Flossie (Florence)
  • flower (said to a girl or woman)
  • Flurry (Florence)
  • Flynner (Flynn)
  • Fonsie (Alphonsus)
  • Frainc (Proinsias)
  • Fran (Francis or Frances)
  • Francie (Francis or Frances)
  • Frank (Francis)
  • Frankie (Francis or Frances)
  • Franno (Francis)
  • Freda (Winifred)

G: 41 names

  • Gally (Gallagher)
  • Gar (Gearóid)
  • Garry (Garrett)
  • Gav (Gavin)
  • Gay (Gabriel)
  • Gaz (Gary)
  • Gearóidín (little Gearóid, also a girl's name)
  • Gem (Gemma)
  • Gene (Eugene or Eoghan)
  • Geordie (George, Ulster)
  • Georgie (George)
  • Ger (Gerard or Geraldine)
  • Gerry (Gerard or Geraldine)

G, continued

  • Gertie (Gertrude)
  • Gibby (Fitzgibbon)
  • Gilly (Gilligan)
  • girl (said to any woman, Cork)
  • girleen (little girl)
  • Girlie (the girl of the family)
  • girsha (from girseach, girl)
  • gossoon (from garsún, boy)
  • grá geal mo chroí (bright love of my heart)
  • Grace (Gráinne)
  • Gracie (Grace)
  • gramachree (from grá mo chroí)
  • Gran (grandmother)
  • Granda (grandfather)

G, continued

  • Granda Donegal (the grandfather who lives in Donegal)
  • Granda Joe (a grandfather told apart by his first name)
  • Granda Kelly (a grandfather told apart by his surname)
  • Grandad (grandfather)
  • Grandda (grandfather, Ulster spelling)
  • Granny (grandmother)
  • Granny Bridie (a grandmother told apart by her first name)
  • Granny Galway (the grandmother who lives in Galway)
  • Granny Murphy (a grandmother told apart by her surname)
  • Greta (Margaret)
  • Griff (Griffin)
  • Gus (Augustine)
  • Gussie (Augustine)
  • Gusty (Augustine)

H: 15 names

  • Hannah (Johanna)
  • Hannie (Hanora)
  • Harry (Henry)
  • Haulie (Mícheál)
  • Hayser (Hayes)
  • Henno (Hennessy)
  • herself (the woman of the house)
  • Hessie (Hester)
  • Higgy (Higgins)
  • himself (the man of the house)
  • Hiúdaí (Aodh, Ulster Irish)
  • Honor (Honora)
  • horse (friend, as in story, horse)
  • Hudie (Hugh)
  • Hughie (Hugh or Aodh)

I: 1 name

  • Iggy (Ignatius)

J: 57 names

  • Jack (John)
  • Jack Mary Ann (Jack, son of Mary Ann)
  • Jack the Post (Jack, the postman)
  • Jackie (John)
  • Jacko (Jack)
  • Jamesie (James)
  • Jamie (James)
  • Janey (Jane)
  • Jar (Jarlath)
  • Jayo (Jason, Dublin)
  • JD (John Daniel)
  • Jeaic (Jack, in Irish spelling)
  • Jem (James)
  • Jemser (James)

J, continued

  • Jenny (Jane)
  • Jer (Jeremiah)
  • Jerh (Jeremiah, Cork)
  • Jerry (Jeremiah)
  • Jim (James)
  • Jim the Bus (Jim, the bus driver)
  • Jim the Lock (Jim, the lock-keeper)
  • Jimeen (Jim)
  • Jimín (little Jim)
  • Jimmy (James)
  • Jimmy Dan (Jimmy, son of Dan)
  • Jimmy Joe (James Joseph)
  • Jimmy the Fiddle (Jimmy, the fiddle player)
  • Jinny (Jane)

J, continued

  • JJ (John Joseph)
  • Jo (Josephine or Johanna)
  • Jo Jo (Joseph)
  • Joan (Johanna)
  • Joanie (Johanna)
  • Jody (Joseph)
  • Joe (Joseph or Seosamh)
  • Joe Pat (Joseph Patrick)
  • Joe the Hackney (Joe, the hackney driver)
  • Joe the Yank (Joe, home from America)
  • Joey (Joseph)
  • John Joe (John Joseph)
  • John Pat (John Patrick)
  • John the Master (John, the schoolmaster)

J, continued

  • John Willie (John William)
  • Johneen (John)
  • Johnno (John)
  • Johnny (John)
  • Johnny Mick (Johnny, son of Mick)
  • Johnser (John)
  • Jonno (Jonathan)
  • Josie (Josephine or Joseph)
  • Joxer (Joseph)
  • JP (John Patrick)
  • JT (James Thomas)
  • Jude (Julia)
  • Judy (Julia or Siobhán)
  • Julie (Julia)
  • Junior (a son named for his father)

K: 22 names

  • Karlo (Karl)
  • Kate (Catherine)
  • Kate the Lodge (Kate, from the gate lodge)
  • Kath (Kathleen)
  • Kathy (Kathleen)
  • Katie (Catherine)
  • Katie Ann (Catherine Ann)
  • Katie May (Catherine Mary)
  • Katie Ned (Katie, daughter of Ned)
  • Katty (Catherine)
  • Kav (Kavanagh)

K, continued

  • Kay (Catherine or Kathleen)
  • Ken (Kenneth)
  • Kenno (Kenneth or Kennedy)
  • Kenny (Kenneth)
  • Kev (Kevin)
  • Kevo (Kevin)
  • kid (friend, Limerick and Cork)
  • Kiero (Kieran or Ciarán)
  • Kit (Catherine)
  • Kitty (Catherine)
  • Kitty the Hill (Kitty, who lives on the hill)

L: 32 names

  • ladeen (little lad)
  • Lanty (Laurence)
  • Lar (Laurence)
  • Larry (Laurence)
  • leanbh (child, used in English too)
  • Lena (Helena)
  • Lenno (Lennon)
  • Leo (Leonard)
  • Lettie (Letitia)
  • Liam (Uilliam)

L, continued

  • Liam Mór (big Liam)
  • Liamo (Liam)
  • Liath (the grey-haired one)
  • Libby (Elizabeth)
  • Lil (Elizabeth)
  • Lily (Elizabeth or Eilís)
  • little dote (a small sweet child)
  • Little Kate (the daughter, with a mother called Kate)
  • Liz (Elizabeth)
  • Lizzie (Elizabeth)
  • Lizzie Ann (Elizabeth Ann)

L, continued

  • Locky (McLoughlin)
  • Lola (Dolores)
  • Long Dan (the tall Daniel)
  • Long Pat (the tall Patrick)
  • Lor (Lorraine)
  • Lorc (Lorcan)
  • Louie (Louis)
  • love (everyday, said to anyone)
  • loveen (little love, Galway)
  • lovie (said to a child)
  • Lynchy (Lynch)

M: 130 names

  • Ma (mother, Dublin)
  • ma bouchal (from mo bhuachaill, my boy)
  • Mac (Cormac, or a Mac surname)
  • machree (from mo chroí)
  • Macker (any Mac or Mc surname)
  • macushla (from mo chuisle)
  • Madge (Margaret)
  • Mae (Mary)
  • Maggie (Margaret)
  • Maggie May (Margaret Mary)
  • Mags (Margaret or Mairéad)
  • Mai (Mary)
  • maicín bán (fair little son)
  • Maidhc (Mícheál)

M, continued

  • Maim (Mam, in Irish)
  • Maimeo (grandmother, Connemara Irish)
  • Máire Bhán (fair-haired Máire)
  • Máire Óg (young Máire)
  • Máire Sheáin (Máire, daughter of Seán)
  • Máire Sheáin Bháin (Máire, daughter of fair-haired Seán)
  • Máire Thomáis (Máire, daughter of Tomás)
  • Máirín (little Máire)
  • Máirtín Beag (small Máirtín)
  • Maisie (Mary)
  • Mal (Malachy)
  • Mallaí (Máire)
  • Mam (mother)
  • Mamaí (Mammy, in Irish)

M, continued

  • Mamie (Mary)
  • Mammy (mother)
  • mammy's pet (the favorite child)
  • Mamó (grandmother, in Irish)
  • maneen (little man, of a boy)
  • Mar (Marian)
  • Marko (Mark)
  • Marty (Martin)
  • Mary Bawn (fair-haired Mary)
  • Mary Jack (Mary, daughter of Jack)
  • Mary Jo (Mary Josephine)
  • Mary Kate (Mary Catherine)
  • Mary Pat (Mary Patricia)
  • Mary T (Mary Teresa)
  • Mary the Glen (Mary, from the glen)

M, continued

  • Mary the Shop (Mary, who keeps the shop)
  • Mary Tom (Mary, daughter of Tom)
  • Máthair Chríonna (grandmother, Munster Irish)
  • Máthair Mhór (grandmother, literally big mother)
  • Matt (Matthew)
  • Mattie (Matthew)
  • Maud (Matilda)
  • Maura (Mary)
  • Maureen (Máirín)
  • mavourneen (from mo mhuirnín)
  • May (Mary)
  • me bucko (my bold lad)
  • me Da (my father, Dublin)
  • me darlin' (my darling)

M, continued

  • me jewel (my treasure, Dublin)
  • me Ma (my mother, Dublin)
  • me oul' flower (my old friend, Dublin)
  • me oul' segotia (my old pal, Dublin)
  • me oul' son (old son, Dublin)
  • Meg (Margaret)
  • Méiní (Máire, Kerry Irish)
  • Mel (Imelda)
  • Melda (Imelda)
  • Mena (Philomena)
  • Miah (Jeremiah)
  • Michael Pat (Michael Patrick)
  • Michaleen (Mícheáilín)
  • Mícheáilín (little Mícheál)
  • Mícheál Óg (young Mícheál, named for his father)

M, continued

  • Micí (Mícheál, Ulster Irish)
  • Micil (Mícheál)
  • Micil an Ghleanna (Micil of the glen)
  • Micil Chóil (Micil, son of Cóil)
  • Micil Liath (grey-haired Micil)
  • Micilín (little Micil)
  • Mick (Michael or Mícheál)
  • Mick Dan (Mick, son of Dan)
  • Mick Jim (Mick, son of Jim)
  • Mick the Milk (Mick, the milkman)
  • Mickeen (Mick)
  • Mickey (Michael)
  • Mickey Joe (Michael Joseph)
  • Mickey the Island (Mickey, from the island)

M, continued

  • Micko (Michael)
  • Mickser (Michael)
  • Mike (Michael)
  • Mikeen (Mike)
  • Mikey (Michael)
  • Miley (Myles)
  • Minnie (Mary)
  • MJ (Michael John)
  • Mo (Maureen)
  • mo bhuachaillín bán (my fair little boy)
  • mo chailín bán (my fair girl)
  • mo chara (my friend)
  • mo chroí (my heart)
  • mo chuid den tsaol (my share of the world)
  • mo chuisle (my pulse)

M, continued

  • mo dhuine (your man, that fellow)
  • mo ghile mear (my gallant darling, from the song)
  • mo ghrá (my love)
  • mo ghrá thú (you are my love)
  • mo leanbh (my child)
  • mo mhuirnín (my darling)
  • mo pheata (my pet)
  • mo rún (my secret love)
  • mo stór (my treasure)
  • Moira (from Máire)
  • Móirín (little Mór)
  • Moll (Mary)
  • Molly (Mary)
  • Mom (mother, parts of Munster)

M, continued

  • Mon (Monica)
  • Mór (the big one or the elder)
  • Móraí (grandmother, Munster Irish)
  • More (from mór, big)
  • Mort (Mortimer)
  • Moss (Maurice)
  • Mossie (Maurice or Muiris)
  • Moya (Mary)
  • mucker (mate, Ulster)
  • Mul (Mulcahy)
  • Mully (Mulligan)
  • Mummy (mother, Ulster)
  • Murph (Murphy)
  • Murt (Murtagh or Muircheartach)
  • Murty (Murtagh)

N: 40 names

  • Nace (Ignatius, Ulster)
  • Nainsí (Anne)
  • Nan (Anne, or a grandmother)
  • Nana (grandmother)
  • Nana Cork (the grandmother who lives in Cork)
  • Nana Peg (a grandmother told apart by her first name)
  • Nancy (Anne)
  • Nanna (grandmother)
  • Nanny (grandmother)
  • Nano (Honora)
  • Nasher (Nash)
  • Ned (Edward)
  • Ned the Thatcher (Ned, the thatcher)

N, continued

  • Neddy (Edward)
  • Neidí (Éamonn)
  • Neilí (Eibhlín)
  • Neilus (Cornelius)
  • Neily (Cornelius)
  • Nell (Ellen)
  • Nell Pat (Nell, daughter of Pat)
  • Nellie (Ellen)
  • Nessa (Agnes)
  • Nettie (Antoinette)
  • Niallo (Niall)
  • Nick (Nicholas)
  • Nicky (Nicholas)

N, continued

  • Noelie (Noel)
  • Nóirín (little Nóra)
  • Nola (Fionnuala)
  • Nonie (Nora)
  • Nor (Noreen)
  • Nora (Honora or Eleanor)
  • Nora Batt (Nora, daughter of Batt)
  • Nóra Bheag (small Nóra)
  • Nóra Mhicil (Nóra, daughter of Micil)
  • Nóra na Trá (Nóra of the strand)
  • Nora the Bridge (Nora, who lives by the bridge)
  • Noreen (Nóirín)
  • Norrie (Nora)
  • Nuala (Fionnuala)

O: 14 names

  • OB (O'Brien)
  • Óg (the younger of two)
  • Oge (from óg, young)
  • Ollie (Oliver or Olive)
  • Oona (Úna)
  • Osh (Oisín)
  • oul' fella (father)
  • Oul' Mossie (the father, with a son called Mossie)
  • Oul' Ned (the father, with a son called Ned)
  • oul' stock (an old friend)
  • oul' wan (mother)
  • our fella (a brother, a son or a husband)
  • our one (a sister or a daughter, Dublin)
  • Owenie (Owen)

P: 59 names

  • Pa (Patrick)
  • Packie (Patrick)
  • Paddy (Patrick, Pádraig or Patricia)
  • Paddy Joe (Patrick Joseph)
  • Paddy Roe (red-haired Paddy)
  • Paddy the Bread (Paddy, the bread-van driver)
  • Paddy the Cross (Paddy, who lives at the crossroads)
  • Paddy the Ferry (Paddy, the ferryman)
  • Paddy Tom (Paddy, son of Tom)
  • Padge (Patrick)
  • Pádraig Dubh (dark-haired Pádraig)
  • Pádraigín (Pádraig, also a girl's name)
  • Páid (Pádraig)
  • Páidí (Pádraig)

P, continued

  • Páidí an Droichid (Páidí of the bridge)
  • Páidí Dhónaill (Páidí, son of Dónall)
  • Páidín (little Pádraig)
  • páistín fionn (fair-haired child)
  • pal (friend)
  • Páraic (Pádraig)
  • Parra (Pádraig, Ulster Irish)
  • Pat (Patrick or Patricia)
  • Pat Mick (Pat, son of Mick)
  • Patch (Patrick)
  • Patcheen (Patch)
  • Pateen (Pat)
  • Patsy (Patrick or Patricia)
  • Paudeen (Páidín)
  • Paudge (Pádraig)

P, continued

  • Paudie (Pádraig)
  • Paulie (Paul)
  • Paulo (Paul)
  • Peadairín (little Peadar)
  • Peadar an Phoist (Peadar of the post)
  • Peadar Mháirtín (Peadar, son of Máirtín)
  • Peadar Rua (red-haired Peadar)
  • Peaidí (Pádraig)
  • peata (pet, the favorite child)
  • Peats (Pádraig, Kerry Irish)
  • Peg (Margaret)
  • Pegeen (Peg)
  • Peggy (Margaret)
  • Peggy Ann (Margaret Ann)
  • Peig (Mairéad)

P, continued

  • Peig Rua (red-haired Peig)
  • Peigí (Mairéad)
  • Peigín (little Peig)
  • pet (said to anyone you are fond of)
  • pet lamb (said to a child)
  • petal (said to a girl or woman)
  • Pete (Peter)
  • Peter the Boat (Peter, the boatman)
  • Petie (Peter)
  • Phil (Philip or Philomena)
  • Philly (Philip or Philomena)
  • Philo (Philip, Dublin)
  • PJ (Patrick Joseph)
  • Podge (Pádraig)
  • Polly (Mary)

Q: 2 names

  • Quigs (Quigley)
  • Quinny (Quinn)

R: 26 names

  • Ray (Raymond)
  • Red (the red-haired one)
  • Red Mick (the red-haired Michael)
  • Red Paddy (the red-haired Patrick)
  • Redser (a red-haired Dubliner)
  • Reenie (Maureen)
  • Richie (Richard)
  • Richo (Richard)
  • Ríona (Caitríona)
  • Rita (Margaret)
  • Ro (Róisín, Ronan or Rosemary)
  • Robbie (Robert)
  • Robbo (Robert)

R, continued

  • Rochey (Roche)
  • Roddy (Roderick)
  • Roe (from rua, red)
  • rogue (a charmer, said fondly)
  • Róisín (little rose)
  • Ronnie (Veronica)
  • Rory (Ruairí)
  • Rosaleen (from Róisín, little rose)
  • Rose (Rosaleen)
  • Rosheen (Róisín)
  • Rosie (Róisín)
  • Rua (the red-haired one)
  • Ryaner (Ryan)

S: 59 names

  • Sadie (Sarah)
  • Sailí (Sarah)
  • Sal (Sarah)
  • Sally (Sarah)
  • Sam (Samuel)
  • Sammy (Samuel)
  • Sandy (Alexander)
  • scamp (a mischievous child)
  • Seáinín (little Seán)
  • Seáinín an Chnoic (little Seán of the hill)
  • Séamaisín (little Séamas)
  • Séamas Donn (brown-haired Séamas)
  • Seamie (Séamus)
  • Seán an Mhuilinn (Seán of the mill)

S, continued

  • Seán an tSiopa (Seán of the shop)
  • Seán Bán (fair-haired Seán)
  • Seán Mháire (Seán, son of Máire)
  • Seán Óg (young Seán, named for his father)
  • Seán Phádraig (Seán, son of Pádraig)
  • Seán Rua (red-haired Seán)
  • Seán the Guard (Seán, the garda)
  • Seán Thomáis (Seán, son of Tomás)
  • Seánie (Seán)
  • Seáno (Seán, Dublin)
  • Séimí (Séamus)
  • Seosaimhín (Josephine, from Seosamh)
  • sham (friend, Tuam)
  • Shamie (Séamus)
  • Shano (Shane)

S, continued

  • Shawneen (Seáinín)
  • Shay (Séamus)
  • Sheila (from Síle)
  • Shem (Séamus)
  • Shero (Sheridan)
  • Shiv (Siobhán)
  • Shivvy (Siobhán)
  • Síle Dhubh (dark-haired Síle)
  • Simo (Simon)
  • Siobháinín (little Siobhán)
  • Sis (a sister)
  • Smiler (the cheerful one)
  • Smithy (Smith)
  • son (said to a younger man, Dublin)
  • Sonny (the eldest son)

S, continued

  • Sorch (Sorcha)
  • Spud (Murphy)
  • Stan (Stanislaus)
  • Stannie (Stanislaus)
  • Stasia (Anastasia)
  • Statia (Anastasia)
  • Steo (Stephen)
  • Steve (Stephen)
  • Stevie (Stephen)
  • Stevo (Stephen)
  • storeen (little treasure, from stóirín)
  • Sull (Sullivan)
  • Sully (O'Sullivan)
  • sunshine (said to a cheerful child)
  • Sylvie (Sylvester)

T: 96 names

  • Tadhg Fada (tall Tadhg)
  • Taidhgín (little Tadhg)
  • Tam (Thomas, Ulster)
  • Teasie (Teresa)
  • Ted (Edward)
  • Teddy (Edward)
  • Terry (Terence, Teresa or Turlough)
  • Tess (Teresa)
  • Tessa (Teresa)
  • Tessie (Teresa)
  • Thade (Tadhg)
  • Thady (Tadhg)
  • the baby (the youngest of the family, at any age)

T, continued

  • the Bainisteoir (the team manager, in Irish)
  • the Bard (the local poet)
  • the Blow-in (anyone who moved into the parish)
  • the brother (a man speaking of his own brother)
  • the Canon (the parish priest)
  • the Captain (the team captain)
  • the childer (the children)
  • the Curate (the younger priest of the parish)
  • the Dub (a Dubliner living down the country)
  • the Fiddler (the local fiddle player)
  • the Gaffer (the foreman)
  • the Ganger (the foreman of a road gang)
  • the Guard (the local garda)
  • the Herd (the herdsman)

T, continued

  • the Kerryman (the neighbor who came from Kerry)
  • the lads (the sons, or the friends)
  • the little divil (a rascal, said fondly)
  • the little fella (the small son)
  • the Master (the schoolmaster)
  • the Miller (the man who runs the mill)
  • the missus (the wife)
  • the Mistress (the schoolmistress)
  • the mot (the girlfriend, Dublin)
  • the Nurse (the district nurse)
  • the oul' doll (the wife or the mother, Dublin)
  • the oul' lad (the father)
  • the oul' lady (the mother)
  • the oul' pair (the parents)

T, continued

  • the Piper (the local uilleann piper)
  • the PP (the parish priest)
  • the Professor (the bookish one)
  • the Sarge (the garda sergeant)
  • the scholar (a child at school, said fondly)
  • the Seanchaí (the storyteller)
  • the shakings of the bag (the youngest child)
  • the sister (anyone speaking of their own sister)
  • the smallies (the small children, Cork)
  • the Smith (the blacksmith)
  • the Super (the garda superintendent)
  • the Tailor (the village tailor)
  • the Twin (one of a pair, at any age)

T, continued

  • the Vet (the local vet)
  • the Weavers (a family known by an ancestor's trade)
  • the Widow Burke (a widow known by her married name)
  • the Yank (anyone home from America)
  • the young lad (the son of the house)
  • the young one (the daughter of the house)
  • Theo (Theobald)
  • Tilly (Matilda)
  • Tim (Timothy or Tadhg)
  • Tim Kate (Tim, son of Kate)
  • Tim the Tailor (Tim, the tailor)
  • Timmy (Timothy)
  • Tina (Christina or Martina)
  • TJ (Thomas Joseph)

T, continued

  • Toby (Tobias)
  • Tom (Thomas)
  • Tom Joe (Thomas Joseph)
  • Tom Ned (Tom, son of Ned)
  • Tom Paddy Jack (Tom, son of Paddy, son of Jack)
  • Tom Pat (Thomas Patrick)
  • Tom the Forge (Tom, the blacksmith)
  • Tom the Quay (Tom, who lives on the quay)
  • Tom the Rock (Tom, who lives at the rock)
  • Tomáisín (little Tomás)
  • Tomás an Oileáin (Tomás of the island)
  • Tomás Mór (big Tomás)
  • Tomás Óg (young Tomás)
  • Tomás Shéamais (Tomás, son of Séamas)

T, continued

  • Tomeen (Tom)
  • Tommo (Thomas)
  • Tommy (Thomas)
  • Tomo (Thomas)
  • Toni (Antoinette)
  • Tony (Anthony)
  • Tooler (O'Toole)
  • TP (Thomas Patrick)
  • treasure (said to a helpful child)
  • Tricia (Patricia)
  • Tríona (Caitríona)
  • Trish (Patricia)
  • Trisha (Patricia)
  • Trudy (Gertrude)

U: 1 name

  • Uncail (uncle, in Irish)

V: 6 names

  • Val (Valentine)
  • Vera (Veronica)
  • Vin (Vincent)
  • Vincie (Vincent)
  • Vinny (Vincent)
  • Vonnie (Yvonne or Siobhán)

W: 24 names

  • Walshy (Walsh)
  • Wattie (Walter)
  • Wayno (Wayne)
  • wean (a child, Ulster)
  • Wee Annie (the small or young Anne, Ulster)
  • wee cub (a young boy, Ulster)
  • wee cutty (a young girl, Ulster)
  • wee darlin' (little darling, Ulster)
  • wee doll (a pretty girl, Ulster)
  • wee dote (sweet little one, Ulster)
  • wee fella (a boy, Ulster)
  • wee girl (a girl of any age, Ulster)

W, continued

  • Wee Hughie (the small or young Hugh, Ulster)
  • Wee Joe (the son, with a father called Joe)
  • wee lad (a boy, Ulster)
  • wee love (little love, Ulster)
  • wee man (a little boy, Ulster)
  • Wee Mary (the daughter, with a mother called Mary)
  • wee one (a small child, Ulster)
  • wee pet (little pet, Ulster)
  • Will (William)
  • Willie (William)
  • Willie Joe (William Joseph)
  • Winnie (Winifred or Úna)

Y: 7 names

  • young fella (a boy or young man)
  • Young Jim (the son, with a father called Jim)
  • Young Paddy (the son, with a father called Paddy)
  • Young Tom (the son, with a father called Tom)
  • young wan (a girl or young woman)
  • your man (that fellow)
  • your wan (that woman)